Non-Mariano thoughts following the off-day

The final week of the regular season is upon us. To make the postseason, the Yankees need to win each of their final six games while the Rays, Rangers, and Indians win no more than two of their remaining games. Or something like that. Let’s see the Bombers hold up their end of the bargain before we start worrying about everyone else. Mathematically, the Yankees are still alive. In reality, they’re done. Such is life. Here are some random thoughts.

1. I’m not quite sure what the Yankees are supposed to do during this final week. I want them to play kids — Zoilo Almonte, J.R. Murphy, Dellin Betances, and Cesar Cabral, specifically — but mostly because I can’t bear to watch guys like Ichiro Suzuki, Vernon Wells, Chris Stewart, and Joba Chamberlain any longer. Six games won’t tell us anything about the kids, or least not anything that should change our minds about their long-term potential and possible role in 2013. I’ve just about hit my limit with Ichiro and Stewart and Joba though. They’re unwatchable and there’s something to be said for having a watchable team. Forget looking at it as a fan, I can’t imagine all those companies paying big advertising bucks aren’t so happy with their bang for the buck this year. So please, for my sanity if nothing else, play some young players these last six games and make them interesting.

2. A team official told Erik Boland the return of Phil Hughes for next season “can’t be ruled out,” which is true of pretty much every free agent, really. That seems especially true for Hughes though because the Yankees will have an awful lot of pitching questions to answer prior to next season. If the price is right, the Bombers should definitely look to bring Phil back. The question is what’s the right price? He’s got a 5.07 ERA and 4.53 FIP in 143.2 innings this year, which is by far his worst (mostly) healthy season as a full-time starter. Hughes has alternated ~2 WAR seasons with ~0 WAR seasons since moving into the rotation four years ag0 and you’d be hoping for a rebound by re-signing him. A qualifying offer is out of the question at this point, but would one-year at $4M work? Maybe push it to $5M? I’m a) not terrible confident in the team’s in-house options, and b) in favor of adding as much pitching depth as possible this winter, so I’d definitely bring Hughes back for a year at $4-5M. The problem is he’ll probably get more on the open market — all it takes is one team to overpay.

3. You know how teams who have nothing left to play for — either because they’ve already clinched their postseason spot or have already been eliminated — will trot out a skeleton crew lineup in the final game of the regular season? I wonder if the Yankees will do that on Sunday. If they do, I’d probably use a lineup along these lines:

That … looks dangerously close to their regular everyday lineup, no? The only legitimate starting-caliber MLB players who would be sitting in that scenario are Curtis Granderson, Robinson Cano, Alfonso Soriano and Alex Rodriguez. There aren’t that many position player call-ups this year. Hiroki Kuroda lines up to start that day, but since he’s out of gas, the Yankees could start Brett Marshall and have him thrown three or four innings before a parade of September call-up relievers take over. I suppose that depends on what they do to replace the injuredCC Sabathia this week.

4. With the understanding that the best team doesn’t always win the World Series, which postseason team do you think is most dangerous in a short playoff series? A lot of people will probably pick the Red Sox because they wrecked the Yankees (twice) in recent weeks or the Tigers because hey, they won the pennant last year, but I think it might be the Reds. Johnny Cueto is back from his third lat strain, so manager Dusty Baker will have two aces (Cueto and Mat Latos) and a damn-near ace (Homer Bailey) in his postseason rotation. Their lineup is crazy deep — particularly with guys who work deep counts and make pitchers to throw a lot of pitches — and their bullpen is really underrated behind Aroldis Chapman. Sean Marshall is back from the DL, lefty Manny Parra dominates same-side hitters, and Sam LeCure and J.J. Hoover are as good as any right-handed setup tandem in the game. Not big names, but big results. The Reds are probably going to have to play a wildcard play-in game, which could derail their season in an instant, but that is definitely not a team I want to play in a best-of-five or best-of-seven series.

Unfortunately the Sox will win. My 3rd son was born this year, guess what years my other 2 were born. On the bright side, no more kids for me and my wife, so no more WS wins for the Booston (sp).

MannyGeee

Do me (and the rest of the Yankee fandom) a favor. Get a vasectomy.

Unless you happened to create a daughter in 2009… in which case, I really don’t know how we should handle this situation.

I’m a looser baby so why don’t you kill me?

All of this.

ropeadope

1915 and 1916?

Robinson Tilapia

Are they cute kids, at least? :)

NYYROC

If Hughes wants to put the final nail in the coffin for his career he should return. If he has a brain in his head he should get out of there ASAP. He’ll end up in the pen, be given the 3 inning start etc.
He definitely needs a change of scenery to have any hope of resurrecting his career.The Yankees have had Phil since 2007. Time to stop waiting and hoping. Time for the team to move on as well.

Mike HC

There are some scenarios where it could make sense for the Yanks to bring back Hughes, but like you said, I can’t imagine a scenario where Hughes would want to return. He badly needs a change of scenery and new home ballpark. The only way would be if the Yanks well overpay in dollars and years, and there is no way the Yanks are going to do that.

gc

Mathematically, the Yankees are still alive. In reality, they’re…still alive as well. Such are FACTS. Until they are mathematically eliminated, they are still alive. Many, like the author, give up because it’s in their nature. Others keep hope alive until it’s officially taken away because that’s in their nature as well. I’m glad I know who is who around here.

I’m One

While Mike does seem to take a negative view, his point remains. While they’re still alive, it’s extremely unlikely they’ll make the playoffs. I, however, won’t throw in the towel until they’re mathematically eliminated. Hope the team does the same (while giving the youngsters a chance. I’ve also had enough of Joba, Stewart, Wells and, to a lesser extent, Ichiro.

Mike HC

It was fair to call Mike’s view (not doing enough in free agency, signing the wrong guys, letting the wrong guys leave) “negative,” even up to last week. But at this point, I think “correct” is the way we should be describing Mike’s view.

I’m One

Or, at least realistic.

gc

But realistic would mean that they are still mathematically alive, which they ARE. Just because something is improbable, doesn’t make it impossible. It won’t be impossible until they are mathematically eliminated. That’s the reality of the situation.

Robinson Tilapia

Agreed.

However, I don’t think anyone’s ever led off a piece of good news with “…but let’s be realistic here…”

Giuseppe

Please, no more Hughes. The kid should go to a big park somewhere in the NL and have himself a career. Saves himself and gives hope to the sparse dark hair that remains on my head.

mike

i keep wondering if Ichiro will call it a career this year….the sooner he and Arod resolve themselves the sooner the payroll picture will become more clear.
i am beginning to live with the fact Wells will be the 4th OF next year, especially with the return of Granderson uncertain. I am afraid if Grandy walks, we will see an Ichiro/Wells, Gardner, Soriano OF

nycsportzfan

Good post. I wonder if the yanks will get creative and not just use FA’cy but maybe a trade as well? Check in on Carlos Gomez or some surprising player. All it takes is one decent trade and a wiley FA signing or 2 and you can change the complextion of your team real quick.

Giuseppe

^ I also wonder if Ichiro will decide to call it a career in the offseason. Wouldn’t be a terrible thing, and Wells wouldn’t be a terrible 4th outfielder. Would love to see a high obp guy like Choo or a obp/pop combo guy like Ellsbury. I think I’m good with the 3 pitch out at-bats from Grandy if they can make a move for a real replacement and not a retread.

MannyGeee

lost me at Ellsbury.

LK

You’d rather have Wells as 4th OF than Ichiro? Don’t get me wrong, they both suck, but at least Ichiro can pinch run and play defense in the late innings.

jjyank

I agree with you, but he may have been factoring in payroll, as Ichiro is going to have the bigger payroll hit.

LK

Sure, but the contracts are guaranteed, right? I guess if he’s saying Ichiro voluntarily retires that would save the $, but if they cut him and keep Vernon they’re paying them both.

jjyank

Yeah. I think he was saying that if Ichiro retired voluntarily, thus forgoing the contract.

That’s what I got from “I also wonder if Ichiro will decide to call it a career in the offseason.”

I think I still would rather have Ichiro than Wells though.

I’m a looser baby so why don’t you kill me?

I never understand any of these posts wherein people ponder whether Ichiro, or ARod, or anyone else, will “call it a career” when they have guaranteed money owed to them. They would sooner be cut for sucking and force a (FULL$) buy out than simply walk away.

Need Pitching & Hitting & Defense & Baserunning

Most of the time, that’s true.
It has happened before where a player walked away from guaranteed money.
ARod definitely won’t do it.
Ichiro…probably not.

MannyGeee

I guess I could be convinced that Hughes is an option to come back, but I think someone will pay him more and (theoretically) expect less from him. I would kick the tires on the offer, but ultimately he will be gone.

I’m One

Agree completely. If, by some odd chance, he does re-sign for $4M or so, he could be used in the ‘pen or traded if he proves he’s not an effective starter. Then again, he may turn it around, as it seems his best years are even numbered years (excluding 2007 and 2009 so maybe I’m way off base here).

http://www.twitter.com/mattpat11 Matt DiBari

Jesus Christ no more Hughes.

One of the few things I’ve been looking forward to this hear is the end of Hughes and Joba.

Mike B.

Amen, Brother!

NYPLATOONS

85 Wins I said it all season long.

The funny part about all this is how I tried to get my point across about this team and the lineup they are going to throw out their this year. You said it right a skeleton of a lineup! A bench warmer team playing full times! Replacement players that play every single day!

There is nothing here no setting up for the future. No kids ready to play, a free agent class at the end of this year that isn’t anything special. Holes how many hole are there NOW to fix on this team 7-13?

I also wanted to get my point across about Joe G. I understand that he did good with what he has and I agree. But I don’t agree with the way he manages his lineup and players. What I mean but this is Joe never goes with a set lineup so I’m hoping he goes to the Cubs or just goes away. Nothing against Joe he got the Yankees a WS in 2010 and I’m thankful for that. I just don’t like what he throws out there. Example is Arod plays 2 games he’ll rest him and some John Doe is out there. He mixes and matches way to much. A baseball team needs to melt and play with each other day in and day out. Example 1996, 1998 do you remember Joe T subbing guys the way that Joe G does? You saw the same lineup day in and day out from Joe T but Joe G you can give him 10 Mantles and he’ll find a way to rest them to often followed by some bench guy playing 100 games.

Mr. Roth

The 2010 SF Giants called and they want their championship back.

NYPLATOONS

my apologies 2009

I’m One

So, you expected Jeter to be out basically all year? And Teix? And Granderson? Because had any of them played for a majority of the season, this is likely much closer to a 90-win team. You got lucky with your guess (unless you made this prediction in late-May or June, after these injuries were known, in which case it was an easy prediction).

NYPLATOONS

I did not think Jeter would be out all year in fact I thought he’s be ready by spring training. I agree most of the people I talked to said 90+ win team and from the start I told them noway. 85 wins and no post season. I didn’t get luck with my guess I just knew what this team was able to do while others thought and still think they team is ok. There are plenty of guys on this team that I don’t agree with. I’m not a fan of anyone in the outfield yup anyone! This team has no catcher going into the season how are you going to win games with no catcher and a catcher that just can’t hit won’t work.

I would like to see the Yankees get full time players, youth and guys who can get on base. Look up the 1998 Yankees and take a look at those sick OBP%.

I don’t care about injuries this team was doomed before it even put a foot on the field this year.

Now today, last month people finally see what I saw before the season even started. If you don’t see it now then……you just don’t know squat about baseball.

I’m One

No. Before the season, people expected Granderson and Teix to be in the line up, and perhaps Jeter returning around June, if not earlier. That would have been closer to a 90 win team, than an 85 win team. And most likely would put them in the playoffs. I stand by my statement that your 85-win projection happened to be a lucky guess.

NYPLATOONS

Tex and Grander are homerun or bust guys. Yankees need to get better players in and move Tex down in the lineup so he doesn’t hurt the team with his HM to LF or bust attitude. Or get a manager that doesn’t stand of Tex bullshit that will bench his if he doesn’t try to go the other way.

Granderson? Another homerun or bust guy the Yankees can do without BUT. But let’s say the Yankees go into 2014 with these two they both need to bat 7th and 8th while younger, faster, guys with better OBP% get on base and drive in guys so when these two get up at least there is something there if they go long and helps the bottom of the order. But their days of batting 2nd, 3rd or 4th should be long gone.

Need Pitching & Hitting & Defense & Baserunning

The chances of there being 6 better offensive players than Tex and Granderson in the lineup next year are about 0.0001%.
Best case is they’d add/re-sign enough to where they could bat 5th and 6th if both were back, but even that might be unrealistic.

Mike B.

Great points about both guys!

Colombo

How about in 1996 when Torre was subbing in Fielder for Tino? or when he batted A-Rod 8th? Or how he spent years killing bullpen arms?

I understand the frustration with the lineups this year, but with all the injuries, he had to put guys out there not used to playing in more than one or two games a week. Rest was needed so they didn’t completely fall apart. Bench guys are bench guys becasue they can’t be full-time guys. Rest is needed, especially for guys in their late 30’s coming back from hip surgery.

I just named about 85% of the FULL TIME Yankee lineup this year. Who would you rather bat Cecil of 1996 or those junk box players that play full time today?

Plus I’m talking about how Joe G takes these guys plays them every day. Or takes Arod plays him for 2 games and rest. He rest his regulators way to much and to often and for that I don’t like Joe G as a manager. Also every team need to sub in ONCE IN AWHILE but not how Joe G does it. Cecil for Tina isn’t that terrible in 1996. In 1996 Tino played in 155 game wihch is pretty darn good. Cano played in 155 game so far this season! Those aare the guys the Yankees need on this team. Not 5 guys for one position all getting playing time. That is my point and that’s why I’m not a fan of Joe G.

Colombo

The left side of the infield was a horror show all year. That accounts for Ryan, Nunez, Reynolds, Nix, Nelson, and Youkilis.

The front office (not Girardi) decided it was best to go into the season with only Cervelli and Stewart at catcher. Frankie got hurt – this leads to Stewart and Romine.

The front office thought it best to let Swisher walk and keep Ichiro to replace him. Granderson broke his hand in spring training. Say what you want about him, but he has been a good power bat in the Yanks lineup for the three years leading up to his injury. This led to Wells and Boesch.

Tex was hurt all year. This led to Overbay.

Hafner was a DH lotto ticket that didn’t pan out.

ARod came back from hip surgery. To throw him out there for every single game would have been crazy. He has put up good numbers ever since coming back, which, I am willing to argue, is a direct result of being able to rest when his body needs it.

You are making it sound like Girardi has kept his regulars on the bench in favor of these players, when it couldn’t be farther from the truth. I am sure he would have loved to run a lineup of Gardner, Jeter, Cano, Arod, Tex, Granderson, Hafner, Cervelli, Ichiro out there for 150+ games, but the injuries just didn’t allow it. All things considered, I think this was his best job so far, looking at what he did with the cards he was dealt.

NYPLATOONS

Big time horror or the left side but once again siging crap in hopes to catch lighting in a bottle.

Fronts office is a horror show I don’t believe in this teams management. They failed to set themselves up for the future. Well all goes wrong realy on Mariano day, Jeter day and Pettitte day to save the day. Team keeps looking in the review mirror all the time. It’s “has” been time to go forward and they failed big time.

Tex is great on D other then that another 300 hitter gone bad. Get better players in here move tex down till 2016.

Yankees had been failing at DH since Matsui. They think they need to save that spot for their old guys great thinking on the Yankees behalf. Go get a DH Yankees?…

Arod people tend to hate Arod for me just put him out there he is better then what they can put out there. As for the roid thing it will forever linger. Play him till he’s gotta take time off. Best option @ 3b.

Girardi did a good job with what he has but I just don’t like the way he manages his lineup and rest his players. But as I sad good job just don’t like he playing 40 guys in one game. Like I said if you gave him 9 Mantles he’d be resting them way to often and for that I rather see another manager in here.

Robinson Tilapia

*jizz on monitor*

I’m a looser baby so why don’t you kill me?

Still lol.

Robinson Tilapia

That’s all this is. It’s jacking off on the internet.

NYPLATOONS

MELD

Rolling Doughnut

The thought of the return of Phil Hughes to YS, in pinstripes, is, in reality, nauseating.

Mike B.

Yes it is.

Gonzo

During the trade deadline, I favorably compared Scott Feldman to Phil. I was strictly talking about RoS this year, but I didn’t think Phil would be this bad.

I’d like to see Phil go to the Padres just to see if he can resurrect his career. I wish him all the luck wherever he goes.

Gonzo

Anyone else think the A’s have a good shot this year? I like them against the Sox or Tigers.

nsalem

Agreed, They may be a better team without the hype. If we don’t make it I’ll be rooting hard for Cleveland in WC. to see Swish, Giambi and McAllister in the playoffs.

Comrade Al

Then why not the Dodgers?

vicki

me too. i’m looking forward to a big giambi moment. i’m sure the indians are too, having held on to him all season.

Kosmo

I could see the A´s going all the way. It could easily turn out to be a California WS. My pick would be Tigers vs. the Dodgers.

hey now

What do you think the odds are that Chris Stewart is the starting catcher next year?

Vern Sneaker

I’ve been thinking that the best barometer of how committed management is to winning a championship soon is whether they go all out for McCann this winter. Of course they should, but …

Kosmo

Zero

Need Pitching & Hitting & Defense & Baserunning

Probably much higher than that, unfortunately.

NYPLATOONS

Good lord the way this team is run 99%.

Mike HC

I don’t even want him as a back up. If we are one injury/suspension away from watching him play another 106 games next year, I don’t think I can take it.

Robinson Tilapia

Dear God, forgive me for what I’m about to say….

Even money.

Joe Girardi

Am I leaving at the end of the season? That’s what the big rumor is.

Robinson Tilapia

You’re not leaving. I’m calling it now.

Mike HC

Yea. No way he is going anywhere.

Darren

You really want to start dissecting the chances of post-season teams when we don’t even know who’s in it yet? Fine, the Red Sox are fucking good, ok, we get it, thanks for the tip.

And you really want to get a head start on the hot stove league, especially with a player as depressing as Phil Hughes? That discussion can’t wait another week?

While there’s still a pulse, why don’t you do a story about some of the greatest comebacks and miracle finishes, for a little fun and inspiration? That would be better to read about than projecting a shitty final game of the year lineup.

A bunch of gloomy Glorias on this board, that’s for sure.

vicki

bless your heart.

Darren

Why thank you! But please don’t pray for me, pray for the following results over the final week:

Cleveland: 1-5
Texas: 2-4
Yankees: 5-1
Royals: 3-3

This would result in a three team tie between the Yankees, Texas and Cleveland, with the Royals eliminated. Texas has the best head to head record, and would probably choose to be Club C, meaning….THE YANKEES, with the next best record, would HOST Cleveland on Monday, win that game, and then host Texas in Game 164 on Tuesday, then play Tampa on Wednesday, before traveling to Boston next Friday! And then we can sweep them at home Monday the 7th!!

Come on, that’s not more fun to root for than whether David Adams is gonna pinch run for Nunez on Sunday?

mustang (The Has Beens & Wannabes Bunch 2013)

Has anyone seen these WC teams play of late?

HORRIBLE!!!!

The fact that the Yankees have lost 6 out 9 and still have chance tells you something.

Not saying its going to happen, but it wouldn’t shock me in the least.

Robinson Tilapia

Your second 2013 AL Wild Card team, the Houston Astros.

ropeadope

Melancholy Mike and his somber sheeple.

Robinson Tilapia

I’d actually love to see some posts on miracle comebacks and finishes. That’d sure be a nice change of pace.

God I hope not. Most of those guys are dead. Tough to field a team of corpses.

(Floated that up there for y’all)

Robinson Tilapia

IT WASN’T HARD TO DO IN MAY!!!

KA-CHING!

Bubba

You’re welcome

Robinson Tilapia

I wouldn’t want to face LA, obviously. I will announce my endorsement of them in the postseason if/when the Yanks get eliminated.

The Hughes thing was purely put on here for comedic value, wasn’t it?

I’m a looser baby so why don’t you kill me?

LA fo shizzle.

Bavarian Yankee

my WS prediction is Tigers vs Dodgers and then my money is on the Tigers. Their lineup is just crazy: A-Jax, Hunter, Miggy, Fielder and V-Mart 1 through 5. Infante has a great season too, Avila is playing way better during the past few weeks. Peralta could return too.

They also have 2 of this season’s very best starters in Scherzer and Sanchez. Verlander looked more like his old self in his last 2 outings so they could have 3 top flight pitchers. Kershaw vs Verlander (maybe even twice) in the WS would be just awesome!

Kiko Jones

1. Ichiro? Really?
2. Hughes as no. 5 or out of the ‘pen.
3. Unnecessary ghoulishness.
4. All bets are off next week.

I agree with Darren who is quickly becoming my favorite poster. Most of the week (season) Mike has had this realistic count down to doom like people don’t know what’s going on.
The funny part is that its self- defeating at least to this site. The Yankees are eliminated what kind of threads are we looking forward to?
Threads on the super prospects in minors? OR
On how they will spend lots money this winter on free agents?
Dude the months leading to the winter meetings are dead to begin with in the current Yankees environment this site going to look like World War Z with wall to wall coverage of the A-Rod trial.

All I’m saying is that we as Yankees fans are probably in for a long heartbreaking rebuilding process and I for one am in no rush to start it.

So .3% is better then 0 bring on the Rays!!!!

Robinson Tilapia

There’s the “Who do we hang first?” poll next Wednesday. Darren and I may actually pick up a few votes there.

In all seriousness, yes, I’d love to see a ton more balance on here, and it doesn’t even need to be a full switch to BUT THERE’S A 0.3% CHANCE kind of stuff.

Darren

Thanks my man, it was a pleasure (!) to watch the game with you last night.

Couldn’t agree more (obviously) that we might as well cling to the small chance, rather than usher in the offseason before it’s time.

Darren

My thanks was meant for Mustang, but I also meant to say to RT that it’s a sad commentary when the optimists are considered assholes because we refuse to accept defeat before it’s time.And yeah, would it kill RAB to have even ONE miracle comeback story?

Eddard

1. The kids should be playing because that’s all we have to look forward to.

2. It is ruled out. If it hasn’t been Cashman needs to be fired tomorrow instead of at season’s end.

3. Play the kids. Start BGDP or Warren.

4. The As are going to be the toughest out. A lot of it is because of Bartolo. Never should have gotten rid of him, never ever. Another mistake by Cashman.

Mike B.

What, Cashman has made mistakes??? I’m only kidding, guys. I’ve never liked the little weasel–to me he looks like the kind of kid who always got beaten up in school. A little twerp. Other than that I wish him well….elsewhere.

Mike
“Feel the Love”

Ken

Your Ichiro prejudice does not speak well for you, Mike. His performance this season has been respectable, and he is a very watchable player. I look forward to his at-bats.